Louisville's Calvin Pryor is building draft momentum

Every year conversations commence about the fastest risers in the NFL draft.

The reality is that most of these prospects aren’t rising or falling. Multiple scenarios could be happening.

It starts with the scouting process. Most NFL teams don’t concentrate on underclassmen during the regular season. There are enough senior prospects to keep scouts busy. Once juniors declare, teams really put the work in on those particular prospects. A better picture of their draft value presents itself.

Louisville S Calvin Pryor falls into the aforementioned category, and he is now in the conversation as the draft’s top safety prospect.

Don't assume Clinton-Dix of Bama is a lock to be the top safety taken. Calvin Pryor is ahead for some teams. Really close for me.

Pryor finished second on the Cardinals with 75 total tackles. He also registered 5.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, 11 broken up passes and a pair of forced fumbles.

Other instances of why players rise or fall in the draft is usually based on new information, or media members become privy to the thoughts of teams.

In this scenario, Pryor is the 13th overall selection and the second pick of the St. Louis Rams.

The Rams are in prime position with a pair of Top 13 picks. St. Louis certainly has plenty of leverage with the No. 2 pick, which was acquired in the Robert Griffin III trade. The No. 2 overall selection could very easily be traded to a team desperate to draft a quarterback or South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney. Or St. Louis can stand pat and select the best players available for their team.

This week, the Rams addressed needs at offensive tackle and safety.

Now on to the mock draft…

1. Texans
Blake Bortles, QB UCF

2. Rams (from WASH)
Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M

3. Jaguars
Jadeveon Clowney, DE South Carolina

4. Browns
Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M

5. Raiders
Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville

6. Falcons
Anthony Barr, LB UCLA

7. Buccaneers
Greg Robinson, OT Auburn

8 . Vikings
Derek Carr, QB Fresno State

9. Bills
Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson

10. Lions
Darqueze Dennard, CB Michigan State

11. Titans
Khalil Mack, LB Buffalo

12. Giants
Zack Martin, OT Notre Dame

13. Rams
Calvin Pryor, S Louisville

14. Bears
Timmy Jernigan, DT Florida State

15. Steelers
Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M

16. Cowboys
Kony Ealy, DE Missouri

17. Ravens
Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina

18. Jets
Marqise Lee, WR USC

19. Dolphins
Cyrus Kouandjio, OT Alabama

20. Cardinals
Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan

21. Packers
C.J. Mosley, LB Alabama

22. Eagles
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S Alabama

23. Chiefs
Odell Beckham Jr., WR LSU

24. Bengals
Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State

25. Chargers
Dee Ford, DE Auburn

26. Browns (from IND)
Ryan Shazier, LB Ohio State

27. Saints
Morgan Moses, OT Virginia

28. Panthers
Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State

29. Patriots
Jace Amaro, TE Texas Tech

30. 49ers
Ra’Shede Hageman, DT Minnesota

31, Broncos
David Yankey, OG Stanford

32. Seahawks
Aaron Donald, DT Pittsburgh

*Draft order was determined by record, strength of schedule and playoff results. The slotting for the Cowboys and the Ravens was decided by a coin flip due to identical records and opponent strength of schedules.